Empty Nest Guests

Episode #41 (Guest: Laurie Beth Jones)
How Do We Stay on His Path & Hear His Voice?

Join International best-selling author, speaker, coach and trainer, Laurie Beth Jones, and Charlotte on this episode.
They discuss how to be mission-minded and hear God’s voice on the path the Lord has for each of us.

Full of wisdom, insight and experience, Laurie Beth shares about the importance of having a personal mission statement.
She reminds us that sometimes our world is noisy, making it difficult to hear His voice above the noise.
If we are not careful, this noise will pull us off His path.
So how do we lean in and listen well? Tune in and we’ll show you how.

Laurie Beth has written over 14 best-selling books including Jesus CEO, The Path, Jesus in Blue Jeans and
Grow Something Besides Old. Her books have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide and have been translated into multiple foreign languages.
Laurie Beth’s words offer lasting impact and a legacy emphasis. Take a break from the noise and tune in…you’ll be glad you did.

“All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness, goodness, truth and faithfulness to those who keep His covenant and his testimonies.” Psalm 25:10 AMP
“Your ears will hear Him. Right behind you, a voice will say, this is the way you should go…” Isa. 30:21

What Makes a Grandparent Grand?

With Ann and Bill Parkinson

The Legacy Coalition – Christian Grandparenting Ministry

Whether you are a seasoned grandparent or soon to be one, this podcast is for you.

Filled with wisdom, encouragement and insight, Ann and Bill share how to invest in the lives of grandchildren.

The Legacy Coalition raises the importance of grandparenting through training, discussion, seminars, webinars,

conferences, podcasts, ministry partners and through a wealth of resources.

They are all about elevating grandparents, reminding them that they have been called to disciple their grandchildren.

The Legacy Coalition desires that grandparents reap the rewards of their ministry to their grandchildren.

Their staff of veteran ministry leaders is deeply devoted to helping you pass on your faith so multiple generations of your family follow Christ.

Charlotte, Ann, and Bill discuss important principles for grandparents. You’ll love hearing about:

Listeners, there IS a war going on for families and grandparents can and should serve on the front lines.

The mission to preserve families and leave a legacy is paramount and, through grandparenting, much is possible.

“…be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live.

Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”  - Deut. 4:9

To learn more about the Legacy Coalition – Christian Grandparenting Ministry:

As we get closer to Mother’s Day, this podcast is super insightful.   

Tune in to hear:

Are You Struggling with A Difficult Mother-Daughter Relationship?

Join Charlotte as she visits with Dr. Helen McIntosh and Daughter Blythe Daniel,

authors of Mended – Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters.

(This wonderful book is endorsed by Lysa TerKeust, Stasi Eldredge and other best-selling authors.)

Relationships between mothers and daughters can be messy and hurtful.

In their book, Helen and Blythe share how they’ve built, guarded and renewed

a relationship centered around respecting and listening first…then talking.

In this podcast, Charlotte, Helen and Blythe will walk you through the steps to restoring

what’s between you and include conversation starters that are welcoming. They also share.

how to experience freedom when you aren’t able to mend or reconcile.

Listen in and learn how to:

*Choose the relationship above your difference of opinion

*Focus on not changing or controlling the other person

*Recognize and remove behaviors that have carried over from generations

* Confront hurts today – not digging through the mess of yesterday

* Cope when reconciliation is not possible

* Experience healing when your mother or daughter is no longer in your life and more.

For more information about Mended – Restoring the Hearts of Mothers & Daughters

Episode #38

Loss, Grief and Living Your Gospel

Losing my cousin Michael has left such a void in my life and in that of our family.

Michael was a blessing and his life was a bright light in this world.

In this short episode, I share some thoughts about loss, grief and how that affects our lives.

Hopefully, with every loss we experience, we are reminded that our lives matter and how we live does too.

Thankfully, I served at a hospice facility with my therapy dog, Fitz shortly after losing Michael.

I picked up some helpful Care Notes booklets about how to care for yourself and others while grieving.

Personal trainer and health coach, Jana Love offers inspiration and insight regarding our health and wellness during the empty nest years. Charlotte & Jana discuss what is unique about self-care during this phase of life.

More about Jana:

- Certified Whole Food Plant-Based Health Coach

- Married to husband Rich for 30 years

- Mom to two adult sons

- BSF Leader for 5 years

- Youth Mentor

- Women’s Ministry Deacon

- Jana Love, M.S. Exercise Physiologist

- Certified Personal Trainer

- Certified Mat Pilates|SPIN|Bender Barre

- Certified Whole Food Plant-Based Health Coach

- Inspire.Motivate.Encourage

- LoveWorks Fitness & Wellness | The Farm

Let’s Pray AND Rebuke

When times are tough, most of us know about the power of prayer.

But…

What about when times are REALLY tough?

- What do you do with a health diagnosis that is unexpected?

- How about when you feel oppressed, stressed and sense something bigger is at play?

You know what? It probably is. Spiritual warfare is swirling about us all every day.

In this video, Charlotte discusses the importance of rebuking illness and dis-ease.

Recently diagnosed with RA and a strange tick-borne illness call Alpha-Gal, Charlotte

has really suffered lately with inflammation, immobility and has needed a season of rest.

Sickness is a hard part of life BUT, as believers, we do not have to accept a diagnosis lightly.

There is power in prayer and much to learn about what rebuking is.

Mark 4:36-40 talks about Jesus rebuking the wind and said “Peace, be still…”

The wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Luke 4:38 & 39 shares how Jesus rebuked a fever “and it left…”

Friends, we, too, can rebuke in Jesus’ name because, as believers we have Him living inside of us.

Listen in how you can pray and harness the awesome power of rebuking.

To reach Charlotte about this topic go to:

Let’s Stay Encouraged in These Encore Years

& Please Stay In Touch

Thank you listeners for joining Charlotte on her podcasting journey!

In this episode, Charlotte recaps the key messages shared on her past 33 episodes.

She has been so blessed with incredible guests who have shared wisdom and insight for living our best lives now.

Charlotte is excited as she will be on a hiatus for a bit and plans to concentrate on some writing.

(Please keep her in your prayers as she writes.)

She’ll be working on a book that summarizes the podcasts thus far and offers encouragement for the encore years.

She also loves children’s books and will work on those as well.

Charlotte hopes you’ll enjoy this podcast that offers key tips from past episodes and suggests you re-listen to past episodes too!

Here’s a note from Charlotte:

“Thank you, thank you listeners for sharing your valuable time with me on Empty Nest Guests.

We’ve had some great shows together and I have loved every minute and learned so much from my incredible guests.

Getting Beyond Burnout

When You Are Barely Hanging On As a Caregiver

Adult caregivers, you can avoid burnout as you care for your loved one.

It’s sure not easy and, often, we forget to care for ourselves in the process.

“Honor your father and mother,” in Exodus 20:12 is a commandment with a promise.

The Lord shares that if we honor our parents, our days may be long in the land He gives us.

Being a caregiver of your own parents or an aging adult is both a labor of love and a responsibility. The task comes with many stressors that affect your mental and emotional health, your ability to relax, sleep well and overall quality of life. Often, your own finances are affected as is your work/life balance and time with your immediate family, perhaps your own children.

Join Charlotte and Carole Jeanne Runnels, R.N. as they talk about caring for yourself in the process of caregiving while ensuring your loved one receives the best possible care.

Carole Jeanne is a committed Christ-follower, a dear friend of Charlotte’s, and lovingly cared for her mother, father, aunt and uncle for 12 years into their end-stages of life. Her nursing career of 38 years included serving as an oncology nurse, an educational programs coordinator and as a school nurse.

Caregiving is hard. Yet it is priceless time to help your loved ones finish out their lives well. Keeping your spiritual tank full, involving Christian community and finding small things that bring you joy are helpful as is taking the scenic route and remembering the fullness of your aging adult’s life. Carole Jeanne suggests sharing the freedom that comes from the ability to discuss everything and to serve as your loved ones advocate. Tapping in to community resources and offering yourself a bit of grace will help you “do the next right thing” as you care for your loved one. Tune in to hear more from this insightful conversation.

These scriptures helped Carole Jeanne and they can help you:

“The Joy of the Lord is my strength,” Nehemiah 8:10

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13.

A suggested book for help is Cruising Through Caregiving by Jennifer FitzPatrick, MSW, LCSW-C, CSP.

Parenting Aging Parents

Kim & Mike Barnes are former, award-winning TV journalists. 

They created Parenting Aging Parents for those of us who are: stepping in more to help our parents as they get older. Whether you’re providing hands-on caregiving, helping manage doctor’s appointments, finances, or anything in between, it can be challenging and confusing. It’s easy to feel like you’re the only one going through this. Charlotte, Kim and Mike want adult children and other caregivers to know they’re not alone.

Listen in as Charlotte visits with Kim and Mike about common topics those parenting aging parents share in common:

* Practical questions everyone 40+ needs to have with their parents

* How to have uncomfortable conversations with aging parents

* 5 tips to prepare caregivers for the challenges ahead

* How to protect your parents from scams

* Elderly dating – what you need to know may shock you

* & more

There’s so much to know. Learn about the resources they’ve gathered and join their supportive community in the free private Facebook group.

Kim and Mike, through Parenting Aging Parents, desire to be the bridge to help others make the connections they need.

To Reach Kim and Mike:·  

The Struggle is Real, But So Is God.

Struggles are real. Thankfully, so is God.

Misty Philip knows this, wrote about it, a study that is an award-winning #1 Amazon new release bible study, and shares more on this podcast.

Misty is a dreamer and a doer passionate about helping spark your soul message. She encourages people to use their story to give God glory.

She is the host of the By His Grace Podcast ranked in the top 1.5 percent of all podcasts.

She’s a Sought-after inspirational speaker and the author of the award-winning #1 Amazon New Release Bible Study, The Struggle is Real: But so is God, and the Spark Podcast Planner.

Scripture promises that we will have tribulation. It also promises us that we can have hope in the very midst of what brings us down.

Through a massive career upheaval, loss of loved ones, family health crises, her own two broken arms at the same time and a closed door on her calling, Misty has brought her desperation to the Lord over and over.

Her story and strength will inspire you and so will her book.

The Struggle Is Real, But So Is God is a 6-week journey through the Bible that will:

·  * Equip you with empowering wisdom.

·  * Help you grow spiritually by claiming God’s promises as your own.

* Teach you how to declare scripture over yourself to strengthen your inner being.

·  * Show you how to conquer challenges by activating God’s Word in your life.

* Experience just how real God is and know that He is right there with you in the middle of it all.

The Founder of Spark Media, Misty equips Christian Communicators and podcasters through virtual and live events, podcast network, magazine, and a thriving membership community.

Listen in as Charlotte and Misty encourage you about clinging to God in the midst of struggles.

Scriptures shared today:

“We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past and you know I am still in the midst of it.”

Phil. 1:30

“This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.”

1 Tim. 4:10

Sometimes you just can’t be an active participant in a struggle or struggling physically. That’s why I love this scripture” “The Lord himself will fight for you. You need only to be still.”

Ex. 14:14

Launch Stragegies and Leaving a Legacy

With Marci Seither

Listen in as Charlotte and Marci Seither talk about some helpful stragegies for launching children

from the nest. The emptying nest and the empty nest have differences. Marci shares valuable insight

about a few things that caught her off guard when her own children began to move away.

Stress within the nest is a natural process for growing strong. Marci’s suggestions for coping are helpful.

She encourages us to begin to prepare early so the transition to an empty nest doesn’t feel so abrupt.

This time of life can be a wonderful time to stretch your own wings as your children fly. Marci’s also an

advocate of leaving a legacy that matters to those you love during the launching years.

Marci’s an author, speaker, wife, mom to six and loves inspiring others. She loves cooking and makes

marshmellows from scratch. You can find her books on Amazon at the links below.

Avoiding Divorce Court & Aging With Humor 

Join Charlotte and Shel Harrington, the divorce attorney who does not like divorce. Shel is a family lawyer who truly tries to help her clients avoid divorce.

Both adultery and domestic abuse are serious issues that can destroy marriages but neither is the most common reason for divorce. Small behaviors add up to big marital damage. Shel says, once identified, they can be avoided.

She also encourages listeners to “Pray, Play and Stay.” Loving, honoring and enjoying yourspouse is biblical. 

Sometimes, we forget to “enjoy”. Shel shares intentional ways to have fun with your spouse.

She also offers newlyweds tips for avoiding mistakes and disasters. If you have to go through with divorce, Shel shares tips to get you through itas well as strategies for helping you and others (including children).

Then, in the second half of this podcast…we are gonna laugh! Fat Bottom Women Get Fierce is Shel’s hilarious and fun Facebook group.Q. 

Do you know what a “Dryjoe” is?A. It’s when you forget to add the water to your coffee pot and brew a cup of air.Sometimes, we are forgetful in our encore years and slow down in more ways than one.Shel’s book about “quinbloits” will have you in stitches. (We’ll tell you what these are when you tune in.)

My Husband Is Retiring…What Next?

Join Charlotte and Jim Burns, President of HomeWord and best-selling author and speaker

as they discuss how couples can look at retirement as a rite of passage, something to be celebrated and not feared.

Many find the retirement season difficult in the empty nesting years.

Couples now must adjust to a new routine as well as doing life with adult children.

Retirement is a time to reconnect, reinvent and reboot your life, marriage and your future.

It’s NOT a time to stay in a rut or park yourself in a recliner.

Listen in and learn how to prevent a “gray divorce” - a common occurrence in couples over the age of 50.

Jim also shares wonderful insight from two of his books:

Have Serious Fun and 12 Other Principles to Make Your Life Count.

&

Finding Joy in the Empty Nest: Discover Purpose and Passion in the Next Phase of Life

The “what next?” years can be full of your best years yet!

To reach Jim at HomeWord:

Affair Repair – How God Used the Other Woman

How God Used the Other Woman by Tina Konkin is an incredible book

that shares how Tina and her husband Ron saved their marriage after his

affair and fought to make it better than before.

When Tina Konkin, renowned marriage expert and speaker finds out

her husband Ron, a speaker and marriage expert in his own right,

is having an affair with her close friend, God transforms this disaster

into one of His promises that what was intended for evil He would turn to good.

After a spouse has been unfaithful, salvaging the relationship may seem

inconceivable. Marital infidelity sparks pain and chaos that is difficult to

navigate. But there IS hope for recovery and redemption.

Join Charlotte and author Tina Konkin on this podcast. Tina shares her story,

and how God transformed the brokenness of an affair into a redeemed marriage.

You can find grace and strength to forgive too. There IS joy on the other side and you

can emerge from this crisis and seek restoration together.

Listen in and learn three powerful healing principles that encourage rebuilding

your marriage in a lasting way. Not only can your marriage survive; it can thrive!

Tina’s courage and perseverance blesses so many. Her true story of faith, love and

in light of overwhelming odds is inspiring.

Stepping Out of Brokenness Into Purpose

with Lisa Bain

Join Charlotte and Lisa Bain, from Lisa Bain Ministries. as they talk about fact that breakthroughs can come from being broken.

Lisa Bain is an author and speaker who shares about illness, loss and her journey through broken relationships.

She is the founder of Lisa Bain Ministries, a non-profit organization that provides encouragement, support,

and practical tools for those in broken places. Lisa writes regularly on her blog and hosts Treasure Talks,

a vlog featuring interviews with heroes who are making a difference in the community.

Charlotte and Lisa discuss stepping out of our boxes of fear and doubt and stepping into the amazing treasures God has waiting for us.

They believe you can emerge from hardships to find purpose and freedom.

Lisa was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She graduated from Oral Roberts University with a degree in Social Work.

She shares with honesty and authenticity. When her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer and Lisa was diagnosed with a debilitating

autoimmune disease in the same week. She was determined to find joy in the midst of her difficult circumstances.

Lisa has written three books, Joy in the Journey: Finding Laughter and Miracles in Very Dark Places, Life Outside the Box,

and It’s Better Out Here, Stepping out of Brokenness into Purpose.

Lisa and Charlotte are passionate about animal therapy. Both volunteer with their therapy dogs to help spread love and light to those who are hurting.

Lisa especially enjoys visiting with her dogs at cancer treatment centers, hospitals, senior living facilities and hospice care centers.

Charlotte serves at a few places in Tulsa including The Little Light House and the Salvation Army.

Both Charlotte and Lisa are members of The Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

Are You Struggling With A Difficult Mother-Daughter Relationship?

Join Charlotte as she visits with Dr. Helen McIntosh and Daughter Blythe Daniel,

authors of Mended – Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters.

(This wonderful book is endorsed by Lysa TerKeust, Stasi Eldredge and other best-selling authors.)

Relationships between mothers and daughters can be messy and hurtful.

In their book, Helen and Blythe share how they’ve built, guarded and renewed

a relationship centered around respecting and listening first…then talking.

In this podcast, Charlotte, Helen and Blythe will walk you through the steps to restoring

what’s between you and include conversation starters that are welcoming. They also share

how to experience freedom when you aren’t able to mend or reconcile.

Listen in and learn how to:

*Choose the relationship above your difference of opinion

*Focus on not changing or controlling the other person

*Recognize and remove behaviors that have carried over from generations

* Confront hurts today – not digging through the mess of yesterday

* Cope when reconciliation is not possible

* Experience healing when your mother or daughter is no longer in your life and more.

For more information about Mended – Restoring the Hearts of Mothers & Daughters

& to buy the book:

“Help…I need my husband to lead us.”

With George Stahnke from Focus on the Family.

If you find yourself saying or even thinking this,

this podcast is for you.

Empty nesting can be hard on both women and men.

As some men question their purpose at this stage in life,

they often turn inward and shut down emotionally. Others

dive into work or a hobby instead of putting energy into leading

a much smaller nest and loving others well.

Join Charlotte and George Stahnke from Focus on the Family as

they have an authentic conversation about this common occurrence

in these encore years.

George offers an insightful male perspective and some

meaningful tips about how to encourage your husband

to love and lead you well.

It’s also equally important for us to love well.

You are not alone and help is here.

Tune in and be blessed.

To reach George at Focus on the Family:

Mothers-in-Law vs Daughters-in-Law – Let There Be Peace

The conflict between a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law has existed throughout all of history.

Now, thousands of years later, after Rebekah’s story from the Bible, many continue to complain about in-laws,

often even hoping they won't ever come visit.

Mothers-in-Law vs. Daughters-in-Law examines this in-law conflict and aims to draw readers into a different perspective:

that women will learn to recognize their in-laws as a beneficial relationship—a gift—to and for the entire family.

Join Charlotte and author Janice Mathers as they discuss how to have peace with in-laws.

A mother-in-law can have a special and close bond with her daughter-in-law.

This podcast offers sound biblical wisdom, clever insights and shares how to do just that.  ‘

A 9/11 Widow’s Journey – With Jennifer Sands

Jennifer’s nest become tragically empty on 9/11 when she lost her husband, best friend, scuba diving partner and love of her life.

Jim died as the World Trade Center Towers fell.

For a long time after 9/11, Jennifer looked at God through the eyes of anger and contempt.

Through a series of events, her anger was downgraded to disappointment, then it changed to curiosity.

Eventually Jennifer looked at God thru the eyes of acceptance and trust.

Now, she shares of her love and trust in Him.

She gazes at Him through the eyes of reverence, love, adoration and gratitude.

Today, Jennifer encourages widows and others.

She is thankful for God, who brought her blessings from brokenness.

When she made a commemorative scuba dive in Jim’s honor, and underwater memorial dive, the Holy Spirit spoke to her and she gave her life to Christ.

Jennifer often shares Gen. 50:20.

What Joseph said to his Israelite brothers, she now says to the 9/11 terrorists:

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring about His present result, the saving of many lives.”

Tune in and be encouraged!

To reach Jennifer:

Doing Life With Your Adult Children

With Best-selling Author Jim Burns

Tune in and hear best-selling author Jim Burns and Charlotte talk about practical advice

and hopeful encouragement for the tough, yet rewarding transition of parenting grown kids.

Jim is President of HomeWord. He speaks to thousands of people around the world each year.

He has close to 2 million resources in print in 20 languages.

If you have an adult child, you know that parenting doesn’t stop when your child turns 18.

In many ways, it gets more complicated, involving your head…and your heart.

Whether your child lives under your roof, or rarely stays in contact, this podcast is for you.

Jim offers insight to help you navigate this season of parenting. Speaking from his own personal

and professional experience, Jim answers several questions on this podcast including:

Charlotte and Jim look forward to sharing this time with you.

To reach Jim:

Empty Nesting In Adversity

When trials come, they often drive us to our knees in search of answers and comfort.

Join Charlotte and Shannon Wilburn as they talk about empty nesting in adversity.

Shannon is the co-founder of the global franchise Just Between Friends. She’s also a wife to

Mitch Wilburn, a pastor in Tulsa, OK who miraculously survived 45 days in the hospital,

near death with Covid.

When Shannon’s father went from oil company CFO to being disabled, wheel-chair bound and

unemployed, 12 year old Shannon began to learn how to relay on faith and fortitude. That same

faith and reliance on God has helped Shannon through many adversities including Mitch’s health

trials, her own season of temporary hair loss and more. Listen in to hear more.

As we empty nest, we must fight to keep not just a positive attitude but also a Christ-centered one.

Often we must step out in faith and cling to God for help.

Can we have joy and hope in trials?

Shannon and Charlotte both say “Yes!” and share how.

God promises in 2 Corinthians 1: 3-5 that not only does He comfort us during difficulties…

He equips us through our own suffering to be able to minister to others.

Tune in and be inspired as we talk about empty nesting in adversity.

To reach Shannon:

Is it Alzheimer’s, Dementia or Memory Loss?

Alzheimer's disease is the most well-known and common form of dementia

but not everyone with dementia has Alzheimer's disease.

And, just because you are forgetful, during these empty nesting years, doesn’t mean the worst.

Charlotte and Erin Powell, from the Alzheimer’s Association, discuss this topic on today’s podcast.

Learn the top warning signs, how these conditions and diagnoses affect empty nesters and elders.

Learn about valuable resources to help you care for a loved one and more! Caring for loved ones with any form of dementia requires a team effort. You are not alone.

Sleep, Wellness and Balanced Empty Nesting Health

Are you sleeping well?

How is your energy level each day?

Do you experience brain fog?

You are NOT alone.

Join Charlotte and Jane Wenning, a Certified Medical Technologist, Certified Athletic Trainer and Health Coach who has been helping women improve their mental and physical health for over 20 years.

During high school and college, Jane was overweight, struggled with eating disorders, had low self-esteem and experienced brain fog. After having two unhealthy but successful pregnancies, she struggled with postpartum depression and knew she had to make health changes…and she did!

Jane researched and studied nutrition, brain health, longevity, sleep, emotional intelligence, interval training, fasting and epigenetics and estrogenics. Now, she equips business professionals and people with the tools to become leaner, stronger, healthier and creates changes that last beyond retirement.

Charlotte and Jane talk about sleep and how Jane learned to adjust her lifestyle and schedule to allow for proper restorative sleep.

They also discuss Jane’s favorite “four pillars” of wellness:

·  Recovery

·  Emotional Energy

·  Nutrition

·  Movement

Tune in and take charge of your health today!

Learn more about Jane Wenning on Instagram and at:

Empty Nesting and Friendship.  Friendships are such a gift. They also are important to well-being.

Listen and learn the value of making and nurturing friendships with the best friend – God, yourself and others. Learn the difference between loneliness and solitude.

Charlotte and Michelle Van Loon author of Becoming Sage, Cultivating Maturity, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife, published by Moody Publishers, discuss the many facets of friendship in the encore years.

Then, Charlotte talks with the founders of Balcony Women, – a company formed to lift up, support and love the precious women in our communities. Learn from them how to be friends with others as God desires.

Parenting A Prodigal & Hope For The Journey

With Joannie DeBrito – Director of Parenting at Focus on the Family

Loving a prodigal can be a long, lonely, misunderstood, and often desperate road.

Will a phone call come from jail or the hospital?

Living with fear, worry, anger, and self-recrimination wears you down.

Words of love and words of threats can co-exist.

You search for help yet feel shame.

"How long, Lord?" is your heart’s cry.

Joannie DeBrito, from Focus on the Family, and Charlotte talk about the hardship of parenting prodigals.

They offer helpful words of wisdom and reminders that, with God, all things are possible.

May this podcast help sustain you, offer grace, hope, and strength, and a reminder that God will get you through this valley.

Joannie DeBrito PH.D., LCSW, LMFT is the current Director of Parenting and Youth at Focus on the Family. DeBrito draws from over 30 years of diverse experience as a parent educator, family life educator, school social worker, administrator, and licensed mental health professional.

The Empty Nest Guest Podcast

With Michelle Van Loon author of  Becoming Sage, Cultivating Maturity, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife, published by Moody Publishers.

On this episode, Charlotte talks with Michelle Van Loon, author of Becoming Sage,

Cultivating Maturity, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife, published by Moody Publishers.

In Chapter 8 of her book, Michelle shares her own journey through the valley of depression.

(Charlotte’s been there too as she experienced post-partum depression years ago.)

Most empty-nesters experience bouts of the blues.

How do you know where mid-life malaise ends and depression begins?

Michelle also shares about spiritual apathy, also known as acedia.

Sometimes our soul is weary as we empty nest.

Thankfully, God is at work through our emotions.

In Him and with Him, There is hope!

Listen in and learn more. You’ll be glad you did.

For an emergency, dial 911

The National Suicide Prevention Line – 1-800-273-8255

Focus on the Family’s helpline: tel://1-855-771-4357/

Welcome back, Empty Nesters! Today we begin Season 2 and you are in for a treat!

Best-selling author of Empty Nest, Full Life - Jill Savage - and Charlotte talk about the balance of letting go & holding on.

Are you caught between grief and delight?

Empty nesting can be disorienting.

The good news is that your encore years can be FULL of purpose and passion.

Jill shares wisdom, encouragement & ideas from her own life experiences.

Tune in and be inspired.

Join best-selling author, Stasi Eldredge from Wild at Heart ministries and Charlotte as they discuss Spiritual Warfare. Rejection, addiction, fear, and tiny voices that condemn…there IS a cosmic war and we are the battlefield.

We bump into this warfare every day. Sadly, so many don’t recognize this or know how to combat it.

This podcast exposes what warfare is and will help you learn to battle against it. It’s time to fight!

Join Charlotte and life coach, Julie Miles as they discuss the benefits of life coaching – What is it? Do I need it?  Julie spent 28 years running a successful company with her husband while parenting her growing sons. She then found herself navigating a divorce and a completely new chapter of life.  After a few years of searching for direction, at the encouragement of longtime friend and Lead Self Lead Others founder, Dr. Nathan Baxter, Julie completed the leadership coaching process as a client. The experience was life-changing, and Julie discovered her passion and gifts for coaching others. Tune in to hear Julie share her journey and expertise in the exciting process of self-assessment and growth. She partners with women and people of all ages and backgrounds from around the globe, helping them:

• Experience richer, more rewarding lives.

• Find purpose and success during/afterlife transitions.

• Identify/rediscover inner strengths and resources.

• permit themselves to embrace their uniqueness.

• Clarify priorities and create action plans for long-term success.

• Create happier, more productive organizational cultures.

• Lead organizational change and growth.

Listen in as Charlotte and her accountability partner and close friend, Linda Pulver, discuss what accountability means in the empty nesting years. Linda and Charlotte have been accountability partners for several years and have experienced many of life’s ups and downs together. Having a confidential, safe, and trusting person to “do life with” has many blessings. Sharing honestly, asking hard questions, and making helpful observations to each other has kept them authentic and living their best lives now. In 2017, Linda founded Hope is Oxygen, a non-profit that offers hope restoration to countless people, including suicide prevention and postvention. Linda is also a top producing realtor, a wife, mom, grandmother, and was the director of Celebrate Recovery at her local church.

Shirley Staires is 84 years young. She’s a mentor to countless women, author of several Christian books, and founded Shepherd’s Fold Ranch. Join Shirley and Charlotte as they discuss the importance of developing a personal mission statement during the empty nesting years. Knowing whose and who you are during these special encore years is life-changing and life-giving.

Visit Amazon for Shirley’s books.

Click here:

Welcome back, Sydney Black! Individual, marital & family licensed therapist, Sydney discusses parenting adult children during the encore years. Parental roles are ever-changing during the empty nest years. As parents step to the sidelines, our roles can become more advisory and challenging. Charlotte and Sydney talk about letting go intellectually and emotionally and how to lean in when needed as our relationships with our adult children evolve. Sydney also shares some tips and tools for the holidays and the importance of navigating change while preserving relationships.

Sydney is located at 7151 So. Braden in Tulsa.

She can be reached at (918) 499-0300 for in-person or virtual appointments.

Click here:

How do men and women process the empty nesting years? “Often VERY differently,” according to licensed marriage and family therapists, Brent and Janis Sharpe. In their book, The Making of a Marriage, they share about the formation of a healthy and thriving marriage. The same principles are needed as men and women navigate this new phase of life. Join Brent and Janis, Charlotte, and her husband Gordy share common male and female responses to the encore years. The empty nest can be fulfilling and freeing as a couple seeks to understand the unique ways each is coping.

Enjoy listening to Laura Dennis, a blogger, speaker, and creator of Almostemptynest.net. She started Almost Empty Nest on a whim after her oldest child left for college. Through her blog and News from the Nest newsletter she inspires, uplifts, and empowers women who are transitioning from a full nest to an empty nest so that they are able to let go, find their way, and celebrate their empty nest.

Charlotte & Laura discuss common feelings of empty nesters. There are many things we need to let go of and things to hang on to.

They also discuss unmet expectations, bad habits & favorite resources Laura has found to be beneficial.

Laura also provides resources for college preparation and helping parents have a positive relationship with their adult children.

Laura has been married to her college sweetheart Brent for 29 years. Together they have successfully launched three children into the world. They are active members of the Park Church of Christ in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Individual, marital & family licensed therapist, Sydney Black discusses common empty nest emotions.

People process the empty nest differently and all emotions are real, unique and vary.

Sydney encourages listeners to reconnect with themselves and offers tips about how to navigate relationships during this phase with family, friends, aging parents & others.

The empty nest years can be the best years for rediscovering & reinventing yourself, finding new roles and purposes and investing in meaningful people and passions.

Sydney is located at:

7151 So. Braden in Tulsa.

She can be reached at:

(918) 499-0300 for in person or virtual appointments.

Click here:

Welcome to your encore years! They can be your best years yet. Join Charlotte as we listen and learn from encouraging guests who are helping others navigate the empty nest phase of life.

In this first episode, get to know Charlotte and hear about her desire to visit with guests who are blessing people mentally, physically & spiritually. Together, we can encourage each other during these encore years.

Click here: